"Solid State", starring Debbie Rochon, Suzi Lorraine, Ava Brunini and featuring Vivica A. Fox, is a visually stunning, low budget sci-fi fantasy of epic proportions.
First, let me say, that this is one of the most beautifully shot movies I've every seen. The muted colors to set the glum mood almost made me sad because the settings and shot composition were just so gorgeous. The wide shots and camera movements were poetic. Seriously, movies like this, low budget movies that may never be seen in a theater, are why Hi-Def and 4K TVs exist. There is so much to visually showcase that an old style TV could not have done it justice. Cinematographer Fabrizio Meynardi just did a wonderful job.
If you've ever wondered how a "washed up", all girl rock band making a come back in Italy would react during a world crisis from another world, "Solid State" is the movie for you.
I already said that I loved the Cinematography, right? I mean, I wasn't too subtle about that? Other things I love about this movie, Debbie Rochon ( no secret there ), Suzi Lorraine ( her character had the few funny lines in the movie. It wasn't being played for camp. ), the tremendous scope, the epic underlying story, and the way it calls back to global disaster movies of the 60s and 70s. It shows the world is in this horrible situation, but concentrates on a small group of survivors to show how they're dealing with it. Unlike many of those movies, we eventually find out why this group of survivors is the one we're watching.
There is a great use of stock footage here and some good CG. There are also some F/X, which at this point, have become a bit overused in indie cinema. Of course, back in 2012, they may have been a bit more at the cutting edge. I never really did fully grasp exactly what was going on with the giant meteor and the zombie like monsters it spawned, but that may have been me not paying close enough attention to the story. Also, there aren't a whole lot of likeable characters from the start, although the mains grow on you as the movie goes along and fans of Rochon, Lorraine and Brunini will likely be attached to their characters somewhat by virtue of who plays them.
Keep an eye out for a nod to "This is Spinal Tap".
Another thing that stood out as "was that necessary" were the two montages sort of wedged into the movie to bridge one act to the next. They weren't bad, but they didn't seem to entirely fit with the rest of the movie's style. Of course, things that "don't quite fit" into one's expectations kind of create a whole new style. Maybe?
I'll say this, the movie was a bit of style over substance in my opinion, but not to the point where it wasn't entertaining. It was just engaging in a different way than you'd expect and then it would snap back into the formula, "look there's a big glowing light effect" kind of sci-fi epic we all expect.
I would recommend this one for genre fans. I think it's highly stylized shooting and editing may put some audience members off, but if you're the right viewer, this is certainly the right film and there are quite a few memorable moments.
Currently streaming on Amazon Prime. I feel like it's on some other free streaming services, but I'm not sure which ones. If anyone knows, please comment below. Legitimate streams, not pirated stuff.
Thanks.
First, let me say, that this is one of the most beautifully shot movies I've every seen. The muted colors to set the glum mood almost made me sad because the settings and shot composition were just so gorgeous. The wide shots and camera movements were poetic. Seriously, movies like this, low budget movies that may never be seen in a theater, are why Hi-Def and 4K TVs exist. There is so much to visually showcase that an old style TV could not have done it justice. Cinematographer Fabrizio Meynardi just did a wonderful job.
If you've ever wondered how a "washed up", all girl rock band making a come back in Italy would react during a world crisis from another world, "Solid State" is the movie for you.
I already said that I loved the Cinematography, right? I mean, I wasn't too subtle about that? Other things I love about this movie, Debbie Rochon ( no secret there ), Suzi Lorraine ( her character had the few funny lines in the movie. It wasn't being played for camp. ), the tremendous scope, the epic underlying story, and the way it calls back to global disaster movies of the 60s and 70s. It shows the world is in this horrible situation, but concentrates on a small group of survivors to show how they're dealing with it. Unlike many of those movies, we eventually find out why this group of survivors is the one we're watching.
There is a great use of stock footage here and some good CG. There are also some F/X, which at this point, have become a bit overused in indie cinema. Of course, back in 2012, they may have been a bit more at the cutting edge. I never really did fully grasp exactly what was going on with the giant meteor and the zombie like monsters it spawned, but that may have been me not paying close enough attention to the story. Also, there aren't a whole lot of likeable characters from the start, although the mains grow on you as the movie goes along and fans of Rochon, Lorraine and Brunini will likely be attached to their characters somewhat by virtue of who plays them.
Keep an eye out for a nod to "This is Spinal Tap".
Another thing that stood out as "was that necessary" were the two montages sort of wedged into the movie to bridge one act to the next. They weren't bad, but they didn't seem to entirely fit with the rest of the movie's style. Of course, things that "don't quite fit" into one's expectations kind of create a whole new style. Maybe?
I'll say this, the movie was a bit of style over substance in my opinion, but not to the point where it wasn't entertaining. It was just engaging in a different way than you'd expect and then it would snap back into the formula, "look there's a big glowing light effect" kind of sci-fi epic we all expect.
I would recommend this one for genre fans. I think it's highly stylized shooting and editing may put some audience members off, but if you're the right viewer, this is certainly the right film and there are quite a few memorable moments.
Currently streaming on Amazon Prime. I feel like it's on some other free streaming services, but I'm not sure which ones. If anyone knows, please comment below. Legitimate streams, not pirated stuff.
Thanks.
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